Is it ever OK for adults to name-call?

Earlier today I was checking in on the East Greenbush blog. Even though Amanda is no longer blogging for them, I do like to read a bit about the town we hung out in as teenagers (there wasn’t a whole lot to do in Averill Park, so we headed to EG for our “fun.”)

This got a colleague and me talking about adults and name-calling. It happens on OTE every day from time-to-time, and I’m sure all of us have been the, um, victims of a little name-tossing when out and about. Most recently, a woman called me “shaky ass” after I “stole” her parking space at Hannaford. She was built like Marissa Jaret Winokur, with an additional 20 or so pounds on her frame. But, alas, I resisted saying anything nasty in return (I thought of my mother who is convinced everyone is toting a loaded gun and ready to use it) and instead explained I wasn’t sure what I’d done to anger her (even offering to fix it, if she explained, as I honestly did not even see her car/her till she was yelling at me as we both walked into the store). The evenness of my tone didn’t help. She called me aLuna bitch.

Name-calling is something that’s often hard to resist. Our emotions get the best of us and words come out of our mouths (or fly from our fingers) before the ramification — and implication — is really thought out. I’ve had this conversation often with new bloggers, and even OTE commenters. The gut reaction is to lash out, and come back with derogatory names, like that woman did to me at Hannaford. But, in the end, name-calling only ends up diluting an argument and making the labeler look immature.

I’ve said this in the past but I, for one, lose all respect for someone — and their position — once they invoke elementary school playground-style tactics. And I don’t think, in my nearly three years on OTE, I’ve yet to call a user a name (if I have, please feel free to call me out).

To AD’s defense, he only thought his mom was dead because when I dropped her off, she needed to sleep for 48 straight hours. Totally not his fault. She’s a very healthy woman and will live a long, happy life with all the energy she has.

NGD – :( I didn’t like that Jim resorted to name-calling like that, it was uncalled for and a little ridiculous considering he’s probably old enough to be my father. See facebook for further commentary…